Geneva Police Use Force as G7 Protest Escalates Into Violence
Police in Geneva used tear gas and water cannons after a large protest against the G7 summit escalated into violence.
Around 20,000 people marched in the Swiss city ahead of the summit in nearby Evian, France, initially protesting peacefully against Western policies, capitalism, and military alliances. Many demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and climate banners while chanting slogans against the G7.
Tensions rose when a smaller group of masked protesters broke away from the main rally, damaging property, attacking buildings, and setting vehicles on fire. Police said around 600 “Black Bloc” activists were involved in the unrest, which included burning cars and vandalizing areas near international institutions.
Authorities had diverted the march route to avoid clashes in central Geneva, but violence still broke out as the protest dispersed.
